I've used them in calibers from .338, .375 and .458 on most of Alaska's really big game , including a couple of 1000# + bears and no one makes a better performing big game bullet than North Fork.

Hey Guys,

Has anyone tried the North Fork bullets? I am interested in the performance of the 360 gr., .411.

Also, with the way the many crimp rings are located on the bullet, have you noticed any increase in velocity due to less resistance form the lands of the barrel?

Thanks a bunch,

Smoker

I shoot both 400 and 450 gr North Forks in my 450 Dakota. They expand to about 85 caliber and the 450 grain retains about 420 gr weight. I shot it from the bench last night at dusk checking zero for deer season (OK so Im crazy), and 5 shots went into 1 3/4 x 3/4 inch. Just a 3 X scope on a 8 inch bullseye at 100yds.

Andy

I have used the .411-300 grain North-Fork and got 100fps more velocity with NF then with the same powder charge and a different bullet. This is from a .400 Whelen not a 405 Winchester. I have only shot paper, and I like them a lot, I need to try the heavier bullet someday.

Looks like the three shot cloverleafs I'm shooting in my 9,3x62. The gun a Sauer 202 shoots the 250grs bullets in the .3"'s if I do my part.



I love them if that's the correct word for my appreciation for the product.



We have them out to various hunters for a test hunt before decideing whether we will have a manufacturer OEM load some ammo for us with North Fork bullets in them.



So far I have only seen two bullets recovered from game. One from my 9,3 that expanded to .82" and was 233grs or 93% of the original weight after penetrating alot of bone.



And a 180grs bullet recovered under the hide in the rear of a red deer doe after a frontal shot from a 308. Bullet measured .63" in front and had a recovered weight of 176grs or 96%.Penetrated 3,5 foot of deer......



All other bullets have penetrated everything they have been shot at, regardless of angle.



They seem to be at least as tough as the SAF and a helluva lot better in the accuracy department, and from what I have seen will never fail to open even at extended range. In our test they outpenetrate almost anything out there.



Only thing that go deeper is the massive copper bullets like Barnes TSX, FS, Groove and GSC.



Even though they are outpenetrated by the massives I will continue to use them. They deliver a much larger wound channel and I do think that this causes a bigger trauma without destroying a lot of eatible meat in the process like other very expansive fragmentating bullets prefered on deer by so many here.



And I am a lazy guy. I have one load for every rifle I own and use this load on everything. Therefore I want a tough, deep penetrating but still expansive bullet. From mice to moose with one load and one bullet.



Can't make it easier than that can you ?

Smoker, I have been using Mike's exc. 380gr .423 in my .404 jeffery. Accuracy is extreme & I just got back from Moz./RSA & took (4) animals, w/ (1) shot each, including a smallish cape buff. NF are an exc. product. I don't know about pressure reduction as I don't really have anything else to compare to, but if the .411s shoot as well as my .423, then you need look no further.

I have shot a lot of african plainsgame and a lot of buffalo with them in the 416, 404 and 375 and there is no better bullet in the soft point..and the new cup point is about to put all solids out to pasture I suspect...They are absolutly great bullets.

Smoker, North Forks are excellent bullets. I use them in .338", .416" and .458".
Think of the grooves in the shank more as a reduction in bearing surface than as crimp grooves. While you can use them to crimp, Mike Brady (the owner of North Fork) suggests that any grooves not covered by the case neck can get filled up with dirt, lint and other trash that you wouldn't want to fire down your barrel.

Fredj338,

Sounds like the NF bullets have worked really well for you. What ranges were you shooting at when you took your animals and what animals did you take besides the buff. I have seldom shot beyond 200 yards. (I use peep sights almost exclusively.)

Ray,

You apparently know the bullets well. I am not familiar with the cup point you are talking about. Can you explain what they are?

DaveC,

Your point about the dirt getting into the rings is well taken! I never thought about that, however, I will need to load the bullets out father because of the case capacity of the .405 Win. (I have had a .405 built on a P-14 action and have had the chamber long throated so I can load the bullets out.) I can't do much about the bullets once they are in the rifle but I will make certain the bullets are clean when they go into the rifle.

Guys - Thank for you help, I really appreciate it.

Smoker

Ray, will the Northfork bullets both soft and solid be a better choice than the GS custom offerings??

Smoker, I took the buffalo @ about 50yds, frontal shot.
A bushbuck @ 35ds 1/4 slightly to me, shoulder & .25c piece exit. Same for a reed buck except @ 75yds. The last was a nice waterbuck @ just over 100yds, broadside breaking both shoulders leaving a .25c piece exit. These are the most accurate bullets I have shot in my .404 w/ Woodleigh close behind. I plan on trying some of Mike's 200gr in my .338-06 next fall for elk. It's a very finicky rifle, but loves the 210grNPs.

Fredj338,

Sounds exciting and rewarding. If you have any pics. please post them! For those of us who haven't been - it's nice to dream that we may sometime be...

I phoned North Fork and ordered two boxes of 360 gr. I think that with those two boxes I should be able to get a pretty good idea of how they'll act my .405.

Thanks a bunch,

Smoker